Constitution of Australia

The 1901 federal charter, remarkably rigid, with no bill of rights.

Overview

Enacted by the British Parliament in July 1900 and effective January 1, 1901, the Australian Constitution federated six colonies into a commonwealth. Modelled partly on the US Constitution, it divides powers between Commonwealth and states, creates a bicameral parliament with a Senate representing states equally, and vests judicial review in the High Court, famously confirmed in the Engineers Case of 1920. It contains no general bill of rights, a deliberate founding choice, and has succeeded only eight referendums of almost fifty, among the hardest amendment records in the world. The Voice referendum of 2023 failed, continuing that pattern.